“Tales from the Job Search Trenches” with Michael Surkan – The “Hidden” Job Market
On Monday, I spoke with Michael Surkan on his “Tales from the Job Search Trenches” show. He has an interesting story. Michael is currently in the midst of his own job search and started this podcast series as a way to network and “give to get” – and you know I am a HUGE advocate of that!
In this episode, we talk about the “hidden” job market. What is it, where is it and (most important) how do you tap into it.
Michael Surkan is sharing his own journey through the brave new job market as he speaks with fellow aspirants and employment professionals, learning what strategies and ideas can help set candidates apart. He hasn’t found his great new job yet, but he is having lots of fun both meeting and helping people and businesses on social networks. Michael absolutely excels at understanding market and customer needs and creating strategies and priorities for tech products that lead to success.
Check out Michael’s “Tales from the job search trenches” podcasts for insights into job searches. His “Entrepreneurs Northwest” show highlights entrepreneurs, and ideas to build thriving businesses.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com
5 Reasons to Kick Your Search into High Gear in December
Every year I hear countless job seekers say the same thing, “I am going to put my job search on hold until after the Holidays.” Unfortunately, this is yet another example of conventional wisdom misfiring. Here are some of the reasons that “suspending” your search in December will do more damage than good:
- I have never seen a December in the search business that wasn’t extremely busy – good economy or bad. Many companies are trying to get positions filled before year’s end because of budgets or potentially losing the headcount. The latter is of particular concern right now, given the state of the economy and new job creation.
- During December, there are multiple opportunities to network through holiday parties. The amount of people you can reach out and touch is two to three times that of any other time of the year. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?
- Think of your job search as a sales and marketing campaign. You should be creating “buzz” about your product – you! You have worked hard building up this “buzz” – so why stop now? Again, think about all the people gathering and networking (social or otherwise) this month. Don’t you want to remain top of mind?
- People are conditioned to connecting and re-connecting over the holidays. Combine this with a more charitable sprit and your networking efforts are made much easier. As many push their workloads off until the New Year, making introductions, renewing connections and touching base is much easier. Why wait until after January 1, when everyone is battling a pile of December’s procrastination on their desk?
- For those companies who aren’t going to hire until January 2010, staying top of mind right now is even more important. Simply put, who has a better chance of landing the job – the person who has been in touch, networking and establishing rapport over December –or- the person who makes their first contact via email on January 2?
ExecuNet cited that executive level searches are taking upwards of 10 months in this market and the average job search is 2.5 – 3 weeks per 10K in annualized salary. Networking is key to shaving months off this average for yourself and a large part of my coaching programs (3 months is the average for my clients – even at the C level).So, this is no time to rest! Keep building on that momentum you have worked to build in 2009 for your job search. If one of your resolutions for 2010 is to make a career move, there is no better time to get a leg up on the competition.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com
4 R’s for Successful Job Search Networking (guest blogger – Katherine Moody)
Katherine Moody is this week’s guest blogger and our Subject Matter Expert for our Career Mastermind call on November 24th. A self-proclaimed “reluctant networker,” she will talk about her vast experience on the topic and techniques to make the process easy, natural, extremely fruitful…and, maybe, even fun? In today’s article, she shares the 4 R’s for Successful Job Search Networking:
Whether you are using social networking like linkedin, twitter, emailing people directly, calling or meeting people, these networking techniques will accelerate your networking success.
Relationship: If you remember only one thing, please make it this one. Networking success is based on relationship, regardless of the technology you use to connect with people. The relationship must come first, then your agenda. When you take the time to get to know someone and let someone get to know a little about you (other than the fact you’re looking for a job), they will be more willing and able to help you.
Real: Be who you are. Don’t think you must be going to lots of those big “job networking” meetings if they aren’t your style. Do what feels right for you. When you are authentic, people feel it, and you will be able to build a real relationship with them.
Reality: Not everyone you meet will have a job lead for you or be able to connect you with someone you want to meet. But you never know where the connection with them will lead. And don’t leave them with the comment “Well if you hear of anything, please let me know.” The reality is nearly every networker says that and the rest of the reality is that the other person probably won’t be able to remember you from that statement.
Relax: Spend a little time building the relationship in a way that works for you. Don’t think you have to tell everyone in the first 27 seconds that you’re looking for a job. That will come out in a natural way if you can relax a little and just enjoy getting to know the other person.
I know these things are easier said than done when you’re “eager” to find a new job. But if you just start practicing them even a little, you will start seeing greatly enhanced results from your networking. And you just might start enjoying it!
Best wishes for a wonderful new job—very soon!
Katherine’s SME call on November 24th is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet? Join now to access this call (as well as the archived SME calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special FREE 1 month Membership trial.
Katherine Moody is the Vice President of Recruiting Services with S. Benjamins & Company. Her prior search experience includes time with Heidrick & Struggles and Deloitte & Touche. Katherine holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and an Executive MBA from the Peter Drucker Management Center, Claremont University.
A self-proclaimed “reluctant networker,” Katherine Moody is not only an expert on the topic, but secured her last three positions by doing what she knows best: networking. She is the author of several e-books including 21 Master Networking Secrets, I Hate Small Talk, and Taming the Wild Hiring Manager. Katherine’s passion is simple: showing other job seekers how to use the techniques she has perfected to help uncover the “hidden” job market and get back to work sooner.
2009© Kevin Kermes Inc.
SME Mastermind Call: Katherine Moody – “Avoiding Deadly Networking Mistakes in Your Job Search”
Our next Subject Matter Expert (SME) Mastermind Call is on Tuesday, November 24th at 12:00pmEST:
“Avoiding Deadly Networking Mistakes in Your Job Search”
You’ve heard it before – 80%+ of jobs are found through the “hidden” job market. But, it is still a challenge to know how to open that door. Our next Subject Matter Expert (SME) Katherine Moody is going to discuss just that. A self-described “reluctant networker,” she will not only draw upon her 14+ years in the search business but her personal experience – having found her last 3 jobs through networking.
On this webinar she will cover:
- The two essentials to take to every networking event – and one isn’t your resume
- The one question you must always ask that makes people want to help you
- How sending your resume to strangers can actually hurt you – and what to do instead
- A simple change in how you ask for referrals that can dramatically increase your success rate
- The one statement that almost guarantees you won’t be forgotten
And she will do all this while sharing clear and simple guidelines to help you develop a networking strategy that will not only accelerate your job search, but also fits your style and authenticity.
Katherine will also share her handouts:
- How to Build a Relationship in 5 Minutes
- How to Re-establish a Connection
This call is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet?
Join now to access this call (as well as the archived calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special F.R.E.E. 1 month Membership trial.
By joining you also get access to past SME Calls (Ilona Vanderwoude on Resumes, Chuck Csizmar on Compensation Negotiation, Wendy Weiss on Cold Calling Hiring Managers and numerous Q&A calls with Kevin) plus everything else the program has to offer. Learn more about the Mastermind Program and take advantage of a one month F.R.E.E. trial.
“Your Job Will Come” with Aaron Crowe – Job Boards
On this episode of Aaron Crowe’s ”Your Job Will Come,” we talk about the job boards. We tackle why they don’t work, how you can work around them, the role they can play in your job search and much more.
In addition to hosting this talk radio show focused on helping others in the midst of their job search, Aaron is a Section Editor at AOL’s Walletpop.com.
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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!
2008 – 2009 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
